Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Tuesday Memes: The Daring Ladies of Lowell


Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where you can share the first paragraph, or a few, of a book you are reading or thinking about reading soon.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Today I am spotlighting The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott


From the best-selling author of The Dressmaker comes the warm-hearted and enthralling saga of a bold young woman caught between two worlds-the vibrant camaraderie of factory life and the opulence that a budding romance with the mill owner's son affords-as the murder of her best friend sends shock waves throughout the town.

Determined to forge her own destiny, Alice Barrow joins the legions of spirited young women better known as the Mill Girls. From dawn until dusk, these ladies work the looms, but the thrill of independence, change in their pockets, and friendships formed along the way mostly make the backbreaking labor worthwhile. In fact, Hiram Fiske, the steely-eyed titan of industry, has banked on that. But the working conditions are becoming increasingly dangerous and after one too many accidents, Alice finds herself unexpectedly acting as an emissary to address the factory workers' mounting list of grievances.

After traveling to the Fiske family's Beacon Hill mansion, Alice enters a world she's never even dared to dream about: exquisite silk gowns, sumptuous dinners, grand sitting parlors, and uniformed maids operating with an invisible efficiency. Of course, there's also a chilliness in the air as Alice presents her case. But with her wide, intelligent eyes and rosy-hued cheeks, Alice manages to capture the attention of Hiram's eldest son, the handsome and reserved Samuel Fiske.

Their chemistry is undeniable, soon progressing from mutual respect and shy flirtation into an unforgettable romance. But when Alice's best friend, Lovey, is found strangled in a field, Alice and Samuel are torn between loyalty to "their kind" and a chance for true love.


Opening Paragraph

    Alice stepped gingerly into the darkened dormitory, holding her breath against teh unexpected. An oil lamp flickered, turned so low she could see no more than a line of cots squeezed together in a long, narrow room. The air was close, aromatic with the scent of warm bodies.
    “Who are you?” demanded a sleepy voice.
    “Alice Barrow. I’m from New Hampshire, here to work.” It didn’t seem enough, but she was worn to the bone from her long coach rid to the gritty, bustling mill town that promised so much.


My Teaser

    A memory flashed: the piece of paper Lovey had pulled from her pocket when she stood by Alice’s Boston-bound carriage.
    “Who is the Reverend Avery?” Alice asked out loud.
page 116

So...what do you think? Is this one you would pick up? Leave a comment below!

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18 comments:

  1. From the blurb I think I would read this!

    Trish - my teaser

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  2. Not sure this is up my alley, but I hope you enjoy it!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

    Here's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-bittersweet-miranda-beverly-whittemore/

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  3. This sounds interesting. Hope you enjoy it. Here's Mine

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  4. Sounds interesting but it's not in my usual genre. My teasers this week are from Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn and The Summer Invitation by Charlotte Silver. Happy reading!

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  5. This sounds like the kind of historical fiction I enjoy. Thanks for sharing.

    My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/05/first-chapter-first-paragraph-60.html

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  6. I was definitely intrigued by the excerpts...and I've been wanting to read this author. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  7. This sounds interesting. I hope you enjoy it.

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  8. I would keep reading. I enjoy historical fiction and a good mystery. It sounds like this is both!

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  9. Lovely cover and an intriguing opening that makes me want to try this book, thanks for sharing it.

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  10. Yes, I would read it. It's interesting to read about factory girls. Plus, this novel includes a murder. Exciting.:)

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  11. I still want to read The Dressmaker and this one sounds good too, far too many good books and not enough time *sigh*
    Here is my TT http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2014/05/13/teaser-tuesday-may-13/

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  12. The summary certainly grabbed my attention!

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  13. This is right up my alley.

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  14. It sounds like it might be interesting. I'd try it.

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  15. Sounds like it has possibilities to be good - I'd read more===enjoy

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  16. I love the cover and the book description. I'd like to read more.

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  17. it does sound interesting, so yes, I would read on.

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